Setting Up AI-Powered Features
Connect your OpenAI API key to unlock AI quote generation and automatic task breakdown
What You'll Learn
- Get an OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com
- Add your API key to WorkCentral
- Test the connection
- Configure AI quote generation limits
- Enable AI task breakdown for projects
Bring Your Own Key
WorkCentral uses a "bring your own API key" model. AI features are available on all plans (Free, Professional, and Business). You provide your own OpenAI API key, which means you control costs and privacy. There are no AI credits included in any plan — you pay OpenAI directly based on your usage. AI costs are minimal — our quote generation is optimized to keep API usage efficient and affordable.
This is completely optional — WorkCentral works fully without AI. You just create quotes manually instead of using AI generation.
Get an OpenAI API Key
You'll need an API key from OpenAI to power the AI features. If you already have one, skip to Step 2.
How to Get Your Key:
- 1. Go to
platform.openai.com - 2. Create an account or sign in
- 3. Navigate to the API Keys section
- 4. Click "Create new secret key"
- 5. Copy the key immediately — it starts with
sk-and won't be shown again - 6. Add a payment method to your OpenAI account (API usage is pay-as-you-go)
Pro Tip: OpenAI charges based on usage, but WorkCentral's AI features are designed to be lightweight and cost-efficient. Quote generation typically costs fractions of a cent per request. You control your spending through your OpenAI account dashboard.
Time estimate: 3-5 minutes
Add Your API Key to WorkCentral
Navigate to Settings → AI & Quote Settings in WorkCentral to enter your key.
Adding Your Key:
- Paste your key into the "OpenAI API Key" field
- The key auto-tests after 1.5 seconds of inactivity (validates against OpenAI's API)
- Your key is encrypted before storage — displayed as masked (e.g.,
sk-proj...XXXX) - You can replace or delete the key at any time
Owner only: Only the organization owner can access the AI & Quote Settings page. If you're a team member, ask your organization owner to set up the API key.
Time estimate: 1 minute
Test Your Connection
Use the "Test" button to verify your API key works correctly. The test calls OpenAI's /v1/models endpoint to confirm your key is valid and active.
Test Results:
- Success: Green confirmation message — you're all set
- ✗Failed: Check the troubleshooting tips below
Test failing? The most common cause is not having a payment method on your OpenAI account. Free OpenAI trial credits may have expired. Also verify your key starts with sk- and is at least 20 characters long.
Time estimate: Under 1 minute
Configure Your AI Settings
Fine-tune how AI features work in your organization. All settings are on the same AI & Quote Settings page.
Monthly AI Request Limit
Control how many AI requests your organization can make per month. Default is 10, maximum is 1,000. Your current usage is displayed as a progress bar (e.g., "3 / 10 requests used"). Usage resets automatically each month.
AI Task Breakdown
Toggle to enable or disable. When enabled, complex quote line items are automatically broken into 3-7 actionable tasks when a quote is converted to a project. This saves significant planning time.
Requires an API key to be configured first. Disabled by default.
Test Task Breakdown
Once AI Task Breakdown is enabled, you can test it by entering a sample line item description (10-500 characters) and previewing the generated tasks — before using it on real quotes.
Auto-Create Projects
When enabled (on by default), accepted quotes automatically generate a project with tasks and a Kanban board. Turn this off if you prefer to create projects manually after quote acceptance.
Recommended setup: Start with the default limit of 10 requests/month and AI Task Breakdown enabled. You can increase the limit anytime as you use the feature more.
Time estimate: 1 minute
You're Ready!
Your AI features are now configured. Try creating your first AI-powered quote — describe your project in plain English and let WorkCentral generate detailed line items with time estimates.